Hearse



May 26, 1936. w. E. BINKLEY HEARSE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 21, 1935 E kw %V/// QNL 9 QN 2 m3 7 BN WN W 7 NW NW T m o w. E, BINKLEY HEARSE Filed Aug. 21, 1935 '2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 26, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Claims.

This invention relates to hearse construction, and more particularly to that type of hearse wherein the loading or unloading of a casket is accomplished through the side of the body of the hearse.

An important object of the invention is the provision of a movable support within the hearse on which a casket may be placed, means being provided whereby the support may be moved 1-) from a position within the hearse, through the side of the hearse, to a position exteriorly thereof, where the casket may be removed or positioned on the support, with facility.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating means operable from a point exteriorly of the hearse, and being provided with a clutch mechanism whereby the operating means may be thrown into and out of operation, at the will of an attendant. 2o A still further object of the invention is to provide means for holding the movable support in a true horizontal position when the hearse is being loaded or unloaded, the support holding means being of a construction to permit the support to be readily and easily operated under the weight of a casket placed thereon.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and 30 arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, 35 without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmental longitudinal sectional view through a hearse equipped with a movable 40 support, constructed in accordance with the inyention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the main 5 pinion of the operating means.

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the clutch mechanism for controlling the action of the pinions of the operating mechanism. Referring to the drawings in detail the body of 50 the hearse is indicated generally by the reference character 5, and is that type of hearse wherein a casket is loaded or unloaded through the sides thereof.

Within the body portion 5, and spaced from 55 the bottom 6 thereof is a false bottom 1, which is formed with an elongated opening or slot 8, disposed substantially intermediate the side edges of the false bottom 1. Ball bearings 9 are mounted on the upper surface of the false bottom I and provide a support for the table or mov- 5 able support I9, whereby the table or movable support may move over the false bottom 1, with the minimum amount of friction, and with the minimum amount of exertion on the part of the attendant or operator. 1O

Secured to the bottom of the table or movable support it, and depending therefrom, is a post H to which the bar [2 is secured, the bar '12 providing a support for the rollers I3 which contact with the lower surface of the false bottom 15 I in such a way that a free movement of the table or movable support I0 is permitted, longitudinally of the support 1, but vertical movement of the table or support ID will be prevented.

The reference character l4 designates a groove which is formed in the lower surface of the table or movable support I 0, the groove being substantially wide and constructed so that portions thereof extend in parallel relation with the side edges of the table l0, which portions are connected by a curved portion conforming to the shape of the curvature of one end of the table II]. Secured to one wall of this groove 14, and conforming to the shape of the groove, is a rack bar l5, which rack bar is of angle bar construction to the end that the lower angle of the angle bar, provides a housing or stop to be engaged by the guide wheel I6, whereby this end of the table or support I0, is held against vertical movement.

The guide wheel I6 is mounted on the upper end of the vertical shaft 11, which shaft I'| is provided with a gear wheel I8 that is keyed to the shaft, the gear wheel I8 meshing with worm l9 mounted on the power shaft 20, and is ro- 40 tated by means of shaft 2| and clutch mechanism 22, to be hereinafter more fully described. Splined on the shaft I1 is a gear 23 which is controlled by means of the lever 24 whereby the gear 23 may be moved to a position to engage the teeth of the rack bar l5 whereby rotary movement of the gear is transmitted to the movable support or table I0.

Power is transmitted from the shaft 2|, which may be rotated in any suitable manner, as for 5 an example, by means of a hand crank, the movement of the shaft 2| being transmitted to the shaft 20 by means of pinion 25 or pinion 26, which pinions are in mesh with the drive pinion 21. The direction of rotation of the shaft 20 is controlled by the clutch member 28 which is splined on the shaft 2| and is provided with clutch faces 29 at its opposite ends, the clutch member being controlled by the lever 3|]. It

will be seen that by -moving the clutch member 28 to engage the'pinion 25, rotary movement will be imparted to the shaft 20, in one direction, and when the clutch member is moved to engage the clutch member carried by the pinion 26, the shaft 20 will be rotated in the reverse direction, operating the table or movable support [0, to either extend the movablesupport or table, or return the table II! to a position within the body of the hearse.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shown and described, the movable support or table IE! may be moved from a positionas shown in full lines in Figure 2 of the drawingsto a position as shown in dotted lines in Figure 2 of'the drawings, whereby a casket may be placed on the movable support or table 10, or removed therefrom.

Having thus described the invention, What is claimed is: v

1. In' a side delivery hearse, a body portion, a false bottom within the hearse and spaced from the bottom of the hearse, a movable tablemounted onthe false bottom, said table having a groove therein, a rack bar secured within the groove, a shaft extending into the groove, a gear on the shaft and adapted to move into mesh with the rack bar whereby the table is rotated, and means for rotating the shaft.

2. In a side delivery hearse, a body portion, a

rotary table within the body portion, said table having a groove in the bottom thereof, extending in parallel relationwith the side edges of the table and a central curved connecting portion, a shaft extending into the groove, a rack bar secured within the groove and conforming to the shape of r the groove, a gear on the shaft and adapted to mesh with the teeth of the rack bar whereby rotary movement is imparted to the table, a

guide wheel on the shaft and disposed within the groove and adapted to guide the table in its movements, means for throwing the gear into .and out of operation, and means for operating the shaft and gear, extending the table through one side of the body of the hearse.

3. In a side delivery hearse, a body portion having openings in the sides thereof, a rotary table within the body portion, said table having a groove formed in the under-side thereof, said groove including parallel portions connected bya curved portion, a rack bar within the groove, a shaft extending into the groove, a gear splined on the shaft and adapted to move into mesh with the rack bar for transmitting movement to the table, and means for rotating the shaft and gear.

4. In a side delivery hearse, a body portion having a side opening, a pivoted table mounted Within the body portion, means at one end of the table for securing the table against vertical movement, a groove in the table, a rack bar secured to the wall of the groove and including an inwardly extended flange, a shaft extending into the groove, a gear on the shaft and adapted to engage the rack bar, aguide wheel on the upper end of the shaft and engaging the upper surface of the inwardly extended portion of the rack bar, preventing vertical movement of the table, means for moving the gear into engagement with the rack bar, and means for rotating the shaft and gear whereby the table side opening. I a

5. In a side delivery hearse, a body portion having a side opening, a pivoted table mounted within the body portion, said table having a groove formed in the lower surface thereof, a rack bar secured to the wall of the groove, an operating gear, means for moving the operating gear into engagement with the rack bar whereby the table is extended through the side of the body portion, and means for holding the table against vertical movement.

is extended through the WILLIAM BINKLEY. 

